| Date Published: April 21, 2005 |
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 Royal Caribbean International Profile and Reviews
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| Grandeur Damaged In Collision; RCI Releases Statement |
Royal Caribbean has at last released an official statement on Grandeur of the Seas' collision with a pier in Costa Maya; the most notable element is that "Grandeur of the Seas' seven-night sailing scheduled to depart on Saturday, April 23, will be delayed in its departure." Earlier rumors swirling about indicated that Saturday's voyage would be cancelled. However, stay tuned -- anything can happen at this point.
From the statement:
"Royal Caribbean International's Grandeur of the Seas struck the pier in
Costa Maya, Mexico, at approximately 1 p.m. (E.S.T.) Wednesday, while the
ship was docking in 15-knot winds and a 3-knot current, which contributed
to the incident. All guests and crew members are completely safe, and none
were injured in the incident. The ship has a football-shaped puncture in
the bow, on its starboard side, that is approximately 42 feet long and five
feet wide at its widest point. The puncture is in the first deck,
approximately five feet above the waterline.
"The ship is safely docked and otherwise fully operational with all
amenities. Royal Caribbean immediately notified the U.S. Coast Guard and
other authorities regarding the incident and is fully assisting in their
investigations.
"A team of technical experts, including regulatory authorities, have arrived
at the ship. Their full evaluation of repairs, including the amount of
time needed to complete them in Costa Maya, is expected at approximately 6
p.m. (E.S.T.) today. Based on all the information now available, Royal
Caribbean is currently making contingency plans to assist guests in
returning to New Orleans by either Saturday or Sunday with complimentary
flight arrangements -- should the ship be unable to return to New Orleans
this weekend. If that were the case, guests who have additional vacation
time are welcome stay onboard and return with the ship.
"The Grandeur of the Seas' seven-night sailing scheduled to depart on
Saturday, April 23, will be delayed in its departure. Guests booked on
that sailing are being contacted now. Details regarding its departure date
and time will be available later this evening on Royal Caribbean's Webs site -- www.royalcaribbean.com.
"The ship ... was scheduled to be at sea today and Friday before returning to New Orleans on Saturday."
In the meantime, Cruise Critic member Zachnlucy, onboard Grandeur of the Seas, reports on our Royal Caribbean forum that "man, that hole is BIG, on the first level. The Mexican police are forbidding people to take pictures ... I have no idea why (but we still got a few). When we returned to the ship this evening, you could see through the hole into the ship and people inside.
"Actually I can't see how the ship suffered this much damage when the pier is just a bit crumpled, concrete falling off right at the end, and we of course weren't going fast at all. Captain says the 15-knot winds and the 3-knot headwind did it for us. Oh well."
Other passengers onboard told Cruise Critic that they never even felt the impact.
Homepage photo submitted by member Kruz on Cruise Critic's message boards. | |
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